Pages

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

TATCHA GOLD Camellia Beauty Oil | A Deliriously Happy Review

Press Sample (Affiliate Links)

TATCHA is among a short list of companies producing luxury niche skincare products of exemplary quality that are so exquisite, elegant and breathtakingly beautiful, down to the most minute detail, that one finds oneself enraptured by the visual and tactile aspects of these lovely gems. The sheer efficacy of their beautiful products is what keeps TATCHA enthusiasts forever loyal to the brand, and it is very easy to see why.

In a time when beauty oils have gained considerable traction in the mainstream skincare market, there is a dizzying selection ranging from the mediocre to the extraordinary, and there are many that are targeted to a vast array of skincare needs and conditions. TATCHA GOLD Camellia Beauty Oil is among those extraordinary beauty oils that quickly distinguishes itself from the many run-of-the-mill oils on the market. Not only is it made from the highest quality ingredients, but this elegant elixir is featherlight, sinks into the skin immediately, leaves behind no greasy film or residue, and gives skin a stunning ethereal glow. If you are obsessed with luxury beauty oils, as am I, then you owe it to yourself to try this one.

I apply TATCHA GOLD Camellia Beauty Oil to slightly damp freshly washed skin after warming it in my hands, and then I massage it into my face, neck and décolleté rubbing any remaining oil into my hair. This lightly scented oil sinks in immediately leaving skin deeply hydrated, nourished and luminous. I find that my skin appears more even in tone and with a pronounced clarity. Furthermore, the combination of the silky texture, 24-karat gold flakes, and beautiful scent make the tactile experience of its use an even more luxurious and pleasurable one. I have to say that I find absolutely no fault in this luxury oil, and can only sing its praises.

According to TATCHA,

The benefits of the precious Camellia were employed hundreds of years ago by Ama, the female free divers of the Izu Peninsula. The women coated their bodies with Camellia oil to protect themselves from frigid ocean waters. Centuries later, the resourceful geisha began to apply nutrient-rich Camellia oil to their skin and hair after bathing as part of their daily ritual.More recently, science has shown us that Camellia is rich in oleic acid and vitamins A, B and E. It also contains antioxidants and essential fatty acids, helping to seal in moisture and restore the skin’s natural balance.

Apply a few drops of this luxurious elegant oil to the face, neck, décolletage and hair for indescribably soft, nourished and glowing skin and hair.

You can see that the oil, punctuated by gold flakes, is very light in texture.

While I don't generally spend much time discussing product packaging (because I am far more concerned about the quality of the contents)-- I can't resist noting that this bottle is so beautiful that it actually aesthetically enhances the experience of using this oil. The elegant gold button on the bottle allows you to dispense the perfect amount of oil.

Overall Assessment: While I have no shortage of luxury oils in my personal collection-- I always have room for one more of extraordinary quality, and TATCHA GOLD Camellia Oil is definitely that! I really and truly am deliriously happy with this twinkling precious gold-infused gem, and haven't been able to stop reaching for it since having received it. An unmitigated A+

23 comments:

Beauty oils are definitely having a moment and just about every brand on the face of the planet has rushed to get a version out and onto the cosmetic shelves; the result being, oils abound and at every price point. A few, like Tatcha's superlative beauty oil, are outstanding in every way; then there many that are good, but not really special; and finally, there is the glut of poorly composed ones that do nothing other than cover the skin in a pore clogging oil slick. Unfortunately, it's the latter group that gives beauty oil a bum rap. So, for those people who have been wondering what the big deal is when it comes to beauty oil, your thoughtful and comprehensive review says it all--Tatcha is the gold standard when it comes to beauty oils that are cosmetically elegant, efficacious, and esthetically pleasing. And, I don't think it is at all shallow to make mention of the beautiful packaging and the flakes of gold that swirl in the oil. It's all part of a beauty ritual that is intended to be peaceful and relaxing.

For me, applying Tatcha's beauty oil at night is a moment to indulge the senses and center the spirit before drifting off to sleep. A few drops massaged into my hands and forearms; patted over my face, neck, and chest; rubbed through the ends of my hair---sublime!

The fad will eventually pass and then those people who never experienced what a beauty oil should be will wonder why so many of us enthusiasts are still embracing them as an essential part of our beauty ritual. If only they had tried Tatcha, they'd know why :-)

It is always such a joy to read your deeply insightful comments, Eileen! I agree with every single word! There is such a wild disparity in the quality of beauty oils out there, and there is absolutely no question that there are all too many poor examples that do the skin no favors whatsoever! You are so right that if the naysayers had tried TATCHA'S glorious oil first-- they would have been hooked for life! I also agree that this trend, too, will pass-- but I also know that you and I were using oils before it was in vogue, and will be once it is no longer! Like you, I consider using beauty oils a very important part of my beauty ritual-- and sometimes it is the only skincare product that I use (other than sunscreen during the daytime). I also agree that this is a wonderful way to center the spirit and indulge the senses! If I could only use one beauty product it would be a luxury oil, and TATCHA'S version is unquestionably one of the very finest examples that I have EVER tried! :-)

I've been using oils for years, but I blend my own, sometimes adding a couple drops essential oils too, so I have a hard time spending huge amounts of money for packaged oils that also include other ingredients that I don't want or need and with no sense of where the oil comes from, how it's produced, how the resource is made sustainable, and the condition of the workers. Also, blending my own oils means I get to play with a lot of different kinds to see which my skin responds to best and under what circumstances (season, hormone fluctuations, etc). All so much cheaper than packaged oil blends (though not *cheap* for quality oils using best practices and sustainable). I have a question though, I remember reading in one post that you use your oil first, then apply serums, etc. Can you explain more why you do it in that order? I've been curious because my routine is to go from lighter to heavier with products. So: floral waters first, then serums (non-silicone based as nothing will absorb well after silicone is applied), then I emulsify an oil blend with some floral water (as it aids in absorption) and press into face, then lymphatic massage with oil, then creams, then sunscreen. Thoughts?

My mom would wholeheartedly concur with you! She has been mixing her own beauty oils for as many years as I can remember, and instilled in me a love of them. She is also Celiac so she really likes to know exactly where everything was sourced, how it was handled, and to make sure that it wasn't in contact with any gluten-based products. It certainly isn't inexpensive to blend your own, if you are buying high quality oils, but you have the joy of creating them, knowing exactly what you are getting (and where each of them were sourced). That is so fantastic that you do this!

I'm not sure which of my posts that you were referring to specifically, but the order in which I apply products depends on the specific products that I am using and their individual viscosities. I do generally tend to apply lighter things that absorb quickly first. If I am applying a lightweight type of serum then I tend to apply it before my beauty oil. However, I often apply my beauty oils as serums, and then apply them before my heavier moisturizers, and I always apply my sunscreen last (but before my tinted moisturizer or foundation). Lately the only real serums that I have been using with regularity are my face oils though. Since the weather is warm, I tend to opt to use my lighter in texture oils because they absorb quickly. A friend of mine who is a holistic esthetician has recently taught me the joys of spritzing floral waters right on top of the beauty oils that I use-- to help push the oil deeper into the skin. It feels amazing, and seems to really give the oils an amazingly effective boost. It sounds as though what you do is very similar! I agree with you about silicone based serums not being permeable. I can generally only use products that contain silicones for short durations of time before they irritate my skin. Your method sounds spot-on, and one that my esthetician friend would likely agree with. Lymphatic massage with a fantastic face oil is amazing. My friend has done this to me with the evanhealy Whipped Shea Butter with Olive Leaf as well, and the effects are just glorious (plus it's not outlandishly expensive).

Hi, thanks for such a thorough response! :) I was thinking about your Radical serum review, which I read after snagging the awesome lolassecret gift from Space NK. In it, you say that you apply your oil first, and then apply the serum. I haven't used the serum yet (waiting for an upcoming trip to SF since it's travel sized), but am wondering if the consistency is the reason you put it on after oils. Thanks again! :)

Also, just want to add, I feel for your mother and her celiac disease. I don't have celiac, but I'm very gluten intolerant, and it's really hard to live a lifestyle that cuts down gluten intake significantly. I can't even begin to imagine how hard it is for celiacs who can't even have a trace of gluten. Which actually is a great point too--when applying these oils, we are actually consuming them (though in far less quantity than eating), so I also look at oils that lean more towards omega 3 fatty acids. Evening Primrose can be great for hormonal symptoms. You can really think about whole health when choosing your oils, not just skin beauty. It's really amazing.

You are so very welcome, it was absolutely my pleasure! I loved your comment and it definitely deserved a thorough response! Thank you so much for clarifying where I made the statement that I applied the serum after my oil--context was so key to the rationale for that statement! Yes, the consistency is why I often use this serum on top, rather than under my oil. As I noted, the order in which I use particular types of products depends completely on the specific products that I am using, and in the case of that Radical Peptide Infused Serum it is thicker and richer than most serums that I have, and when I use it I often use it in lieu of a moisturizer, and it is for that reason that I stated that I applied it after my oil. That said, I also do a tremendous amount of experimenting with my skincare products, and I often switch out the order of things. Sometimes I even mix everything (other than eye cream and sunscreen) in the palm of my hands and then apply the concoction to warm damp skin. I have also since applied this serum under the oil as well, and the effects were still excellent. The other thing to note is that, as a bonafide oil fanatic, that I very often add more to my foundation as well.

I am so happy that you snagged one of those awesome lolassecret gift bags from Space NK-- they were so tremendously generous, and I certainly hope that they want to do that for all of you again! Please let me know what you think about the Radical Serum! GOod idea to use it on your SF trip, but you might want to test it out to make sure that it works with your skin first-- the last think that you want is your skin to become reactive to something while you are traveling-- since travel can wreak havoc on the skin as it is! I'm from the SF Bay Area-- I love the City, and hope that you have an AMAZING time there!

Yes, being Celiac can definitely create some food and beauty product/ skincare challenges for my mom! I'm not Celiac either, but I do have a completely gluten-free diet, and I actually feel much healthier without it. If a skincare or beauty product contains any wheat derivatives or gluten it doesn't bother me, or at least that I have noticed, but pulling it from my diet was a big and positive paradigm shift! I find that it gets easier and easier to find delicious gluten-free options, but it definitely can be challenging if I am eating at someone's house who lives in a super gluten saturated world! My mom is so good at finding hidden gluten that she even remembers to check any medications that she may get for gluten and then finds substitutes.

You are exactly right about the idea that we are consuming the oils when we apply them. Really articulating the fact that our skin is our largest organ, and that anything that one applies to the skin is like taking a big bite of all of those chemicals definitely should give everyone pause about what they are using! I still use things that aren't organic and/or chemical-free, but with far less frequency than I used to.

Oils rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids are great-- of course consuming foods rich in them is excellent as well! Evening Primrose is such a lovely oil, and one with so many medicinal applications too! My mom has long used Evening Primrose Oil. I completely agree with you-- when you approach skincare, in general, from a more holistic and whole body approach then it really becomes an issue of nourishing the body from the inside out! It's for this reason that I am really loving the Evan Healy line because her practice as both a holistic aesthetician and the creator of such an amazing line of products are based upon a combination of aromatherapy, ayurveda, and homeopathy! I have several of her products that I will start reviewing soon, and I have had two transformative facials that used only Evan Healy products!

Have a really wonderful day, and thank you again for your very thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable comments! I'm truly loving this dialogue! :-)

I don't know if I can add to what's already been said, but your presentation of this product was sublime. It was as if I could experience applying the product while reading your description. I love oils despite the fact that I have "oily" skin. :-)

Thank you for your amazingly kind words, Kimmy! I'm so glad that through my words and pictures that you felt able to experience this lovely. While I am elated and touched by your kindness-- I must confess that my review pales in comparison to actually using this sublime beauty oil! It's absolutely fine for oily skin-- I have combination skin with an active t-zone, and oils work amazingly well for me as well! Let me know if you ever end up trying this-- I would love to know what you think about it! <3

I just recently fell in love with Tatcha. I've been using their Indigo Hand Cream and I should be coming home to my Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist tomorrow and am EXCITED to try it. This oil looks like my next Tatcha product to add to my collection.

Hi FilipinaMacBarbie! Isn't TATCHA just amazing?! I love their Indigo Hand Cream as well! I suspect that you will absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE their Luminous Dewy Skin Mist as well-- it's a truly amazing product. As for their GOLD Camellia Beauty Oil-- all I can say is that it is so amazing that I will definitely replace this bottle as soon as I use it up! It really is that amazing! Your love of TATCHA will grow even further once you try this beautiful oil of theirs! :-)

Seriously, Helen you have the best reviews that I have read! Thank you for your tremendous insights! I have changed my skincare products since I began reading your blog years ago, and now I really love everything that I am using! I hope that you understand how much we appreciate you and your tremendous efforts! I totally agree with Kimmy your presentation of this Camellia Oil is just sublime! I am ordering a bottle asap, and just in time because I am just about to run out of The Organic Pharmacy oil/serum (the one that smells like oranges0 sorry I forgot the name and i'm at work). I love that one as well and plan to replace it, but want to try this one first! xo, J

I think that you will be blown away by this oil-- it is just so elegant and effective, and I think that you will find joy in using it! I'm so happy that you still love The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Firming Serum-- it still remains one of my favorite beauty oils as well! It's really an amazing product! Please keep me posted-- I want to know what you think of this beautiful TATCHA masterpiece! I hope that it does wonders for your skin as it does for mine!

I'm very touched that things that I love and have reviewed are working so well for you! I am also very happy to know that you find my reviews informative and helpful! Have a wonderul day! :-)

Hi Lola; 3BDiva here. Have to say, I've used oils since '98 courtesy of Decleor...and never looked back. Eileen said it well: there are so many crisp oils on the market that are giving the truly amazing oils a bad name. I have this oils and it is sublime. But I most throw a shout-out for Dr. Sebaugh's Rose Oil as it is also amazing. Funny thing is, I still gift Decleor oils to those who are interested simply due to their price point (in case they fall in love and wish to re-purchase).

All oils are not equal and when you try of the amazing ones, you understand. Oh, do you : )

Hi 3BDiva! It's always so lovely to hear from you! Decleor has some really lovely oils. It's a great line to introduce people to the lovely world of face oils! I completely agree with what you and Eileen have to say about the great disparity in the quality of oils on the market. I'm not at all surprised that have and love this sublime oil! You and I always seem to be drawn to the same products! I have tested the Dr. Sebaugh Rose Oil just about every time that I go to Barneys, and it has been on my list of must-try beauty oils for a couple of years now, Since it is quite expensive I have dragged my feet, but your love of it may cause me to get it during the next Love Yourself Bag Event since they seem to have done step-up gifts in the past.

Speaking of amazing oils, re you still using and loving the själ Saphir Concentrate Anti-Aging Oil? I hope that you are doing well! :-)

Yes and no. It's a great oily but... it went rancid : (. I called the company, spoke with the owner (may I just say how amazing it is to speak to the actual OWNER of a company when there is an issue!) and a new bottle is being sent to me at no cost. My concern is that the oil should NOT have turned in the first place based on the code and where it was purchased. We'll see.... In any event, yes, you SHOULD buy the Sebaugh Oil, lol. It really is a tie between Tatcha and his *sigh* :)

Beyond that, looking forward to all the Fall goodies; as you review things my list grows, lol. Doesn't help that I've added a new house and car... but my birthday hits as the same time all the events occur so that's my excuse for shopping. Barney's, Nordstrom and SpaceNK... my poor bank account!!

Hi 3BDiva! Rancid?! WOW!!! At that price point too! I'm thrilled to hear that the owner responded and is sending you another bottle-- that is an appropriate response! I agree that it should never have happened in the first place, but hopefully it was just a fluke!

Well, that does it-- the Dr. Sebaugh Oil is at the top of my list! If it's a tie between the Dr. S and TATCHA oils-- then does TATCHA end up winning because it is more affordable?

Ah yes, Fall goodies. I'm contemplating the Tom Ford Fall Collection, but fear that the lipsticks and blush.highlighter duos are too warm for my skin tone, and I am also concerned that the gorgeous eyeshadow quad might be a bit too frosty/shiny for my particular taste. I'm trying to be sensible in my approach! What is calling out to you?

Thank you so much for your very kind words-- I appreciate that you feel as though my work is amazing! You just made my whole day! :-)

I love reading all of your comments and interacting with you- so please do not hesitate to share your thoughts, and to ask questions. Remember that what you have to say is of interest to all of us! Always feel free to email me directly as well. SPAM and advertising links will not be published.